Green space exploration

courtesy : Green space exploration

The Green New Deal for space

As we approach yet another election in the US, a number of incredibly important issues will be decided. One is the future of American space power, the role of the government, military, and civilian sectors, and ongoing and increasing concern for the future health of the planet. There is an argument for why climate activists, political representatives, and anyone who supports radical change to mitigate global climate change needs to embrace US efforts in space now and into the near future. This argument is based on both the Green New Deal platform as well as current and near-future space capabilities. Environmentalists, politicians, and the population in general should support space exploration and access for the future of the planet and humanity. Historically, space exploration and access has been seen as a wasteful endeavor, fraught with high costs and wasteful expenditure of resources. However, even in the Apollo era, where rockets and access were one-use vehicles, scientific advancements were stuff of legends. Yes, the single-use rockets used massive amounts of non-reusable resources; and to this day debris and detritus litters low Earth orbit (LEO), pieces left over from the early era of space exploration. But by 1981, the Space Shuttle launched, providing a reusable platform for space missions. In all, five shuttles flew 135 missions between testing in 1981 to retirement in 2011, for a total of just over 1,322 days in space.

Recycling capabilities is just one component of the proposed Green New Deal, submitted to the House of Representatives on February 7, 2019. In the document, the politicians offer:

“Whereas, because the United States has historically been responsible for a disproportionate amount of greenhouse gas emissions, having emitted 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions through 2014, and has a high technological capacity, the United States must take a leading role in reducing emissions through economic transformation;”

The admonishment is straightforward: the US is responsible for a disproportionate amount of emissions, and bears culpability for contributing to the problem. The proposed solution is two-fold: using superior American technology and economics, find ways to counter global climate change. To the detractors I would offer: even if there is not an impending global crisis (there is), the US can still lead in technology development and commit economic resources to creating a more sustainable model for the world. We have already started; the nation should support efforts in space.

The Green New Deal proposal goes on to state definite objectives in the short 14-page document. It will create lucrative jobs in high-tech industries, help with infrastructure in the US, help provide clean energy and power, and result in clean water, increased and improved agriculture, and less pollution. Finally, the Green New Deal offers solution to national security problems, at home and abroad, as the Departments of Defense and State labor to quell unrest and provide climate-related succor around the globe. At the very least, stabilizing, and preferably reversing, global climate change would go a long way towards solving a number of global issues related to weather, climate, water, and food. It may not temper historical political or religious disputes, but it might alleviate or at least lessen emerging climate-related conflicts.

To this end, space is not merely an option, but essential for the future of the Green New Deal. In fact, space is already providing a number of elements that help fulfill the requirements to counter global climate change. Thus, space, while already important, will only increase its relevance for the future of our planet and our species.

#the Green New Deal

#Green space exploration

#low Earth orbit (LEO)

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